The randomized, double blind dose escalation study, now running in Belgium, will assess the safety and tolerability of ATR-002 in 60 healthy volunteers, randomized into three arms.

ATR-002 is a first-in-class MEK inhibitor of viral replication, targeting a fundamental host-cellular protein in the replication pathway of influenza-causing viruses. MEK inhibitors have shown high potential as efficacious antiviral drugs, which address the need for a novel, broadly active, resistance-avoiding influenza therapy. Potential advantages of this host-targeting approach are the reduced potential to viral resistance and the prolonged treatment window, both compared to therapies that directly target viral structures.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza remains a global challenge for public health with an estimated one billion people affected every year, of which three to five million cases are considered severe. In particular, fatalities are high with 290,000 to 650,000 influenza-related respiratory deaths worldwide.[1] “As of today, there is a high unmet medical need for an efficient, safe influenza therapy to treat acute disease patients,” commented Dr. Rainer Lichtenberger, co-founder and CEO of Atriva. “Novel flu virus strains are emerging every year, and antiviral approaches based on small-molecules are often associated with the development of resistances and a short treatment window.” [2]

“The successful filing of a Clinical Trial Application in Europe followed by the start of the first-in-human clinical trial for ATR-002 are significant milestones for our Company. Today’s news brings us to the doorstep of demonstrating clinical proof-of-concept for ATR-002 as a potential first-in-class, once-daily oral influenza therapy,” added Prof. Dr. Oliver Planz, co-founder and CSO of Atriva.

Preclinical data showed that an oral application of ATR-002 leads to the rapid and long-lasting inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and consequently, inhibition of reproduction of virus particles in the body. Compared to standard of care, absence of resistance formation and a longer treatment window were observed. Most currently approved drugs show efficacy only when administered within 48 hours after the onset of acute disease. Often, patients are not eligible for these drugs or do not respond to therapy due to a delayed diagnosis.


Atriva will be pleased to meet you at Bio€quity 2019!

We will be attending the conference from the welcome reception on Sunday, May 19, until Tuesday, May 21, and are looking forward to seeing you in Barcelona.

Atriva Therapeutics will host a company presentation on Monday, May 20, at 14:50 CET in room Vivaldi 1, as part of the Next Wave category.

You are welcome to contact Dr. Rainer Lichtenberger, Chief Executive Officer of Atriva, through the partnering system.


About ATR-002’s mode of action

Atriva’s lead product ATR-002 is a clinical stage MEK inhibitor drug candidate targeting the intracellular Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. In influenza virus infected cells, the interaction of ATR-002 with MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase) prevents export of the viral genome protein complexes (ribonucleoprotein, RNP) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, thus hindering the formation of functional new viral particles. This ultimately reduces the viral load in the body. Clinical development will be supported by an exploratory biomarker indicating MEK inhibition, via measurement of ERK phosphorylation, in the cell.